KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE PROPOSAL OR REVISION,
Cover Sheet (10/02/2002)
Course Number/Program Name
CRJU 7709 / MSCJ
Department
Sociology and Criminal Justice
Degree Title (if applicable) N/A
Proposed Effective Date Fall 2011
Check one or more of the following and complete the appropriate sections:
X New Course Proposal
Course Title Change
Course Number Change
Course Credit Change
Course Prerequisite Change
Course Description Change
Sections to be Completed
II, III, IV, V, VII
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
Notes:
If proposed changes to an existing course are substantial (credit hours, title, and description), a
new course with a new number should be proposed.
A new Course Proposal (Sections II, III, IV, V, VII) is required for each new course proposed as
part of a new program. Current catalog information (Section I) is required for each
existing course incorporated into the program.
Minor changes to a course can use the simplified E-Z Course Change Form.
Submitted by:
Faculty Member
Approved
_____
Date
Not Approved
Department Curriculum Committee Date
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Not Approved
Department Chair
Date
School Curriculum Committee
Date
School Dean
Date
GPCC Chair
Date
Dean, Graduate College
Date
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
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Vice President for Academic Affairs Date
Approved
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President
Date
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KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE/CONCENTRATION/PROGRAM CHANGE
I.
Current Information (Fill in for changes)
Page Number in Current Catalog
Course Prefix and Number
Course Title
Credit Hours
Prerequisites
Description (or Current Degree Requirements)
II.
Proposed Information (Fill in for changes and new courses)
Course Prefix and Number __CRJU 7709____________________
Course Title Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
______
Credit Hours 3-0-3
Prerequisite: Admission to the MSCJ Program or permission of the MSCJ Program Director.
Description (or Proposed Degree Requirements)
This course examines and compares the criminal justice systems of several countries by
focusing on historical, political and social factors, and explaining their influence on legal
institutions and systems of justice. The course discusses the difficulties in comparisons
and how to conduct an effective comparative analysis. Topics may include: perceived
causes of crime, police structures, legal systems, victims, crime prevention, corrections,
and recent trends in international crime and justice.
III.
Justification
Students enrolled in the Masters’ degree program in Criminal Justice must
complete 18 credit hours of required core courses and 15 hours of electives. The
15 credit hours of electives consist of 5 (five) courses concentrated in two areas:
Comparative/International Perspectives and Criminal Justice Policy. CRJU 7709
is one of the five electives that emphasizes the former and reflects the theme of
KSU’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) on global learning.
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IV.
Additional Information (for New Courses only)
Instructor: Rebecca (Becky) Petersen
Text:
Reichel, Philip L. (2008). Comparative criminal justice systems: A topical approach.
(5th edition). Prentice Hall.
Objectives: Students should be able to:
1) Analyze the international value of comparing systems and issues of criminal justice
systems.
2) Examine globalization and its effect on crime and criminal justice.
3) Identify the primary sources of international crime statistics.
4) Compare the unique crime problems and solutions in different countries.
5) Identify mechanisms to deal with issues of human rights and international crimes and
criminals.
6) Examine the stages of the criminal process in different countries.
7) Define the functions of modern, worldwide, police forces.
8) Compare similarities and differences that occur in court structures and procedures in
multiple countries.
9) Analyze unique correctional practices in different countries.
Instructional Method
Student learning occurs through a variety of teaching techniques, including
lectures, guest speakers, PowerPoint presentations, class discussions, group
discussions, and use of educational videos. Since this is a graduate
level course, more class time will be devoted to more student-student and/or
student-instructor interaction to better enrich the student learning experience.
Method of Evaluation
Final grade will be based on Exam 1 (50 points), Exam 2 (50 points), article review (40
points), nation paper (40 points), and presentation (30 points), a total of 200 points. The
final grading scale below will be applied:
A = 90%-100% or 179-200 points
B = 80%-89% or 159-178 points
C = 70%-79% or 139-158 points
D = 60%-69% or 119-138 points
F = less than 60% or 118 or fewer points
V.
Resources and Funding Required (New Courses only)
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Resource
Amount
Faculty
Other Personnel
Equipment
Supplies
Travel
New Books
New Journals
Other (Specify)
TOTAL
Funding Required Beyond
Normal Departmental Growth
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VI. COURSE MASTER FORM
This form will be completed by the requesting department and will be sent to the Office of the
Registrar once the course has been approved by the Office of the President.
The form is required for all new courses.
DISCIPLINE
COURSE NUMBER
COURSE TITLE FOR LABEL
(Note: Limit 16 spaces)
CLASS-LAB-CREDIT HOURS
Approval, Effective Term
Grades Allowed (Regular or S/U)
If course used to satisfy CPC, what areas?
Learning Support Programs courses which are
required as prerequisites
APPROVED:
________________________________________________
Vice President for Academic Affairs or Designee __
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VII Attach Syllabus
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Course Syllabus
CRJU 7709 (Comparative Criminal Justice Systems)
Instructor: Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Petersen
Office: SO 4062
Office Phone: 770-420-4732
Email: rpeterse@kennesaw.edu
Prerequisite: Admission to the MSCJ Program or permission of the MSCJ Program Director.
Course Description: This course examines and compares the criminal justice systems of several
countries by focusing on historical, political and social factors, and explaining their influence on
legal institutions and systems of justice. The course discusses the difficulties in comparisons and
how to conduct an effective comparative analysis. Topics may include: perceived causes of
crime, police structures, legal systems, victims, crime prevention, corrections, and recent trends
in international crime and justice.
Course Objectives: After completing the course, the student will be better prepared to:
1) Analyze the international value of comparing systems and issues of criminal justice
systems.
2) Examine globalization and its effect on crime and criminal justice.
3) Identify the primary sources of international crime statistics.
4) Compare the unique crime problems and solutions in different countries.
5) Identify mechanisms to deal with issues of human rights and international crimes and
criminals.
6) Examine the stages of the criminal process in different countries.
7) Define the functions of modern, worldwide, police forces.
8) Compare similarities and differences that occur in court structures and procedures in
multiple countries.
9) Analyze unique correctional practices in different countries.
Required Reading:
Students are expected to read all course readings prior to class meetings, so that you can engage
in informed class discussions about these materials. BRING YOUR TEXT AND
MATERIALS TO CLASS EVERY CLASS PERIOD.
Reichel, Philip L. (2008). Comparative criminal justice systems: A topical approach. (5th
edition). Prentice Hall.
Additional readings will be assigned during the semester and will most likely come from readily
available sources, including the Internet. These additional reading assignments will be provided
by the instructor. You also should be reading or accessing international news on a daily basis.
Whatever you read, you should always consider the source and question whether it is reliable. It
is good to develop independent and critical thinking on an issue rather than adopting the view of
a political commentator who may have a hidden agenda.
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Participation and Attendance Policy: This is a participatory graduate-level class. This means
that your absence affects the learning of others. Class participation means more than merely
showing up for class. Class participation includes, but is not limited to:
1. Actively and frequently participating in class and being adequately prepared;
2. Keeping abreast of news related to crime/criminal justice and sharing relevant news
information with the class; and
3. Discussing all assigned readings and engaging in discussion each class session.
As such, regular attendance is required. You are expected to attend every scheduled class, to
arrive on time, to remain for the entire class period and to be prepared. It is a disruption to the
instructor and the class when you are late (or when you leave early). If you miss class due
to an illness or an emergency, please ask one of your peers if you “missed anything important”
and not the professor. Please do not contact the instructor as to why you will not be attending
class or why you did not.
Assignments:
1. Students are expected to read ALL assigned material prior to class and are expected to be
active participants in class. Be prepared to discuss all assigned readings in a discussion format
each class period. Just as you expect me to be prepared for class, I expect the same of you.
2. Article Review Essays: The required textbook is an excellent resource of knowledge for
comparative justice systems, but it is also only one small source of information about
comparative justice systems. Libraries, journal articles, the Internet, and criminal justice agencies
are just a beginning of discovering other information about the variety of criminal justice
systems. In addition, the research component adds another level of depth to the educational
process. Research experience is important to all students, but is highlighted for the extended
studies student. Note: The text provides excellent Website links at the end of each chapter for
research possibilities. To increase the awareness of supplemental material in comparative
criminal justice areas, the student will be required to complete 3 article review essays. The topic
of each essay will be chosen by the student, and will center on an appropriate comparative justice
system topic. Each essay will be 3 pages in length (typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12point font). The issues must be taken from an academic, peer-reviewed, scholarly journal.
3. Nation paper – Each student will be randomly assigned a country selected from the World
Factbook of Criminal Justice. The research paper should be between 15-20 pages in length (text,
not including cover page, abstract, and reference page) and address the criminal justice system in
comparison to and contrast to the United States. Detailed nation paper requirements will be
posted within two weeks.
4. Presentation – The last two weeks of the semester, each student will give a presentation on
his/her country written and researched about in the aforesaid nation paper. Detailed presentation
requirements will be posted within two weeks.
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Examinations:
There will be two exams, each worth 20%. NO LATE OR MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE
GIVEN! You must be on-time for class to take the exam.
Bring a blue/green book with you on exam days.
Examinations will cover material combined from required readings, classroom lectures,
classroom discussions, guest speakers, and educational videos. I do not cover all the material
in your required readings and as such, you are responsible for your own reading. Furthermore,
much of the lecture and class discussions include material not in your required reading, thus,
your attendance and participation is of utmost importance.
Grading and Evaluation:
A variety of methods are used to evaluate your progress on course objectives to demonstrate
your knowledge and ability to apply the course material. Your final grade will be based upon the
following point distribution:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Article review essay
Nation paper
Presentation
TOTAL
40
40
40
50
30
200
points
points
points
points
points
points
The following grade distribution is guaranteed:
A = 90%-100% or 179-200 points
B = 80%-89% or 159-178 points
C = 70%-79% or 139-158 points
D = 60%-69% or 119-138 points
F = less than 60% or 118 or fewer points
Academic Integrity Statement: Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions
of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.
Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University ’s policy on academic
honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to
University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work,
malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/ intentional misuse of
computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of
alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the
University Judiciary Program, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty
member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a
student to the Code of Conduct ’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.
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Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: KSU provides program accessibility and
reasonable accommodations for students defined as disabled under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A number of services
are available to help disabled students with their academic work. In order to make arrangements
for special services, students must visit the Office of Disabled Student Support Services (located
on the second floor of the Student Center) and arrange an individual assistance plan.
Writing Center: KSU also offers a free service to all students with the goals of not only helping
students write better papers, but also making the students become better writers. I encourage you
to visit their office in the Humanities Building (Room 242) and talk to their personnel about your
writing assignments. You can also go to their website at
http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter/ and click on the “Make an Appointment” link.
Incompletes: According to the KSU catalog regarding an “incomplete grade (I), a grade of
incomplete “will be awarded only when the student has done satisfactory work up to the last two
weeks of the semester, but for nonacademic reasons beyond his/her control is unable to meet the
full requirements of the course.”
Make-Up Exam Policy: Each student is expected to take all the exams on the scheduled dates.
Students with a valid excuse (and hopefully with prior approval from the instructor) for missing
a scheduled exam may make up one test. Make-up exams will be given at the end of the
semester and may consist entirely of essay questions. Students can make up one exam only.
(Tentative) SCHEDULE OF TOPICS and READINGS
Week 1-
Introduction and why study comparative criminal justice
Chapter 1
Week 2-
Crime and criminality-a comparative view
Chapter 2
Week 3-
Historical development of criminal justice systems
Handouts
Week 4-
Law enforcement functions and organizations
Chapter 6
Week 5-
Police and the community
Chapter 6
Week 6-
Constitutional constraints
Chapter 5
Week 7-
Criminal investigation and procedure
Exam #1
Chapter 3
Week 8 -
The law, courts and trials
Chapter 7
Week 9-
Sentencing
Chapter 7
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Week 10-
Corrections and punishment
Chapter 8
Week 11-
Juvenile justice systems
Chapter 9
Week 12-
Contemporary dilemmas and influences
Handouts
Week 13-
Fall break
Weeks 14 and 15-
Student presentations
Week 16-
Final exam
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